return to section index

2000-01:
President: Santa Garza, University of Texas at Austin

Board of Directors: Beverly Cottingham, President-Elect; Deborah Arnold, Past President; James Kubacak, Vice President; Linda Gonzalez-Hensgen, Secretary/Historian; Patrick Reyna, Treasurer; Tomas Campos, Jody Pena, Kim Koch, Melissa Elliot, Guadalupe Valdez, James Lane, Ismael Talavera, David Ximenez, Marcus Wilson.

2001 Fall Conference: Galveston, Moody Gardens. The theme was "An Island of Opportunity".

2000-01 TASFAA Budget: $253,875

Issues and Events:

• Published 1st TASFAAA Annual Report with TASFAA Vision and Preferred Future.
• TGSLC agrees to house TASFAA's historical documents.
• First ever "TASFAA bill" HB3054 submitted in attempt to address issues related to Texas Grant. Passed by the House but failed to be called up in committee in senate.
• TASFAA newsletters moved to website.

Board action:

• Discontinued Financial Aid Hotline.
• Creation of President's Advisory Council for Planning and Evaluation.
• Approval of TASFAA Memorial Policies.
• Approved TASFAA Communication Plan.
• Purchase of TASFAA.net and TASFAA.com.

2001-02:
President: Beverly Cottingham, Covenant School of Nursing and Allied Health

Board of Directors: Tom Campos, Rick Renshaw, Lisa Beaudo, Melissa Elliott, Joyce Eldridge, Linda Gonzalez-Hensgen, Beverly Cottingham, Marcus Wilson, President Elect; Kim Koch, Jim Lane, James Kuback, Vice President; Patrick Reyna, Treasurer; Santa Garza, Past President

2002 Fall Conference: October 14-18, 2002 – Moody Gardens, Galveston; “35 Years Strong – Celebrating Partnerships”

2001-02 TASFAA Budget:

Issues and Events:

• September 11, 2001 – Terrisiom in New York City, World Trade Center buildings
• Irma Rangel presented TASFAA Texas Legislator of the Year award
• TG’s AdvanTG Web implemented fall 2002
• FISAP completed on-line for the first time
• Governor Rick Perry began state initiative of Closing the Gaps
• 2001 Decentralized Training topics were FERPA and Verification

Board action:

• Voted to move TASFAA Times to electronic newsletter posted on TASFAA website
• Voted to have on-line elections
• Approved elimination of entitlement membership fees for 2001-2002

2002-03:
President: Marcus Wilson, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Board of Directors: Beverly Cottingham, Past President; Linda Gonzales-Hensgen, President-Elect; Kim Eisenhour, Vice President; Kathy Bassham, Secretary/Historian; Patrick Reyna, Treasurer; Ann Duncan, Casey Galindo, Pat Jost, James Kubacak, Jim Lane, Rick Moreno, Rick Renshaw, Kym Sherwood, Joe Wilcox. (Appointments made; Kathy Bassham for Linda Gonzales-Hensgen as Secretary/Historian, Pat Jost for Kathy Bassham, Kym Sherwood for Lisa Beaudo and Joe Wilcox for Joyce Eldridge.)

2003 Fall Conference: Wichita Falls, MPEC

2002-03 TASFAA Budget: $302,829

Annual Dues: $100 for all categories (voting, affiliate, associate and individual)

Issues and Events:

• State of Texas experienced an estimated $10,000,000,000 budget shortfall.
• Member institutions faced a significant reduction to travel budgets.
• TASFAA recommitted ourselves to training as Association priority.
• The Mack Adams Scholarship budget was increased from $14,000 to $39,000 to assist institutions in dealing with the budget crisis and to address the membership’s needs.
• Mailed letters highlighting TASFAA training benefits to the Presidents and Chancellors of Texas institutions .
• HB 1761 – the TASFAA Bill introduced by Representative Miguel Wise.
• Incredible efforts by the Legislative Issues Committee and specifically, Jimmy Parker.
• Co-hosted Legislative Reception “Toast of Texas” in Washington, DC with TG and ATLE.
• Reauthorization.
• TASFAA participated in a Town Hall with Rep. John Carter, member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
• HB 1403 to assist Texas’ non-resident aliens implemented.
• Based on recommendations from the NASFAA Leadership Conference:
  • The Finance Committee was restructured,
  • The Audit Committee was established and
  • Treasurer responsibilities redefined and
  • The approval process for President’s expenses were modified.
• Established the Association Activities and Resources Committee.
• Restructured and renamed many committees to better reflect their current charges and the association’s needs.
• Initiated the first conference call Board meeting.
• Awards Committee charged with identifying a process to recognizing “Friends of the Association”.
• Fall Conference – Wichita Falls, something new; smaller venue, convention center and multiple hotels, single day registration and retiree registration.
• Sponsorship raised – $133,980.
• Performed first “Legislative Training”.

Board action:

• Restructured the Finance Committee to allow for separation of duties.
• Established an Audit Committee to perform annual audits in addition to outside audit.
• Change approval process for President’s expenses.
• Require dual signatures on all TASFAA expenditures.
• Changed procedures for electing Vice President to allow for input from President (elect).
• Changed fall conference transition from Friday morning to Thursday to allow for more meaningful Friday morning sessions.
• Change funding for Regional Rallies.
• Renamed Multicultural Initiatives Committee to Diversity and Leadership Initiatives
• Renamed the Early Awareness Committee to Awareness Committee.
• Renamed the Communications Network Committee to the Communication Committee
• Renamed the High School Counselor Workshop Committee the High School Partnership Training Committee
• Special Recognition for efforts of Jimmy Parker at Fall Conference

2003-04:
President: Linda Gonzalez-Hensgen, El Paso Community College

Board of Directors: Pat Jost, Vice President; Jim Lane, President-Elect; Marcus Wilson, Past President; Patrick Reyna, Treasurer; Kathy Bassham, Secretary; Ann Duncan, Casey Galindo, June Hagler, Raul Lerma, Rick Moreno, Rick Renshaw, Joe Wilcox

2004 Fall Conference: October 6-9, 2004 – Omni Bayfront, Corpus Christi (650 attendees)

TASFAA Budget:

Issues and Events:

• Began Legislative Training in Austin by providing financial aid overview to invited legislative aids. TASFAA members who were available on scheduled days conducted training.
• TG opened new headquarters in Round Rock including providing space for TASFAA Archives
• Congress still did not complete Reauthorization during the year
• Milton Wright retired as CEO of TG
• Sue McMillan began as CEO of TG
• ATLE began giving a scholarship to a dependent of a financial aid office employee
• SWASFAA conference was in New Orleans

Board action:

• Voted to include in P&P that paid Treasurer Assistant could not also serve as a Board Member
• Moved $30K from TASFAA checking account to investment bonds with ING
• Voted to start accepting credit card payments on ATAC beginning in 04-05
• Voted to present certificates of appreciation, letter from TASFAA President, and engraved pens to attendees in state congress who attended the numerous Steering Committee meetings about financial aid
• Membership approved inclusion of one voting associate member on the Board
• Composing a Financial Mission Statement was assigned to the Finance Committee

2004-05:
President: Patricia (Pat) Jost, Trinity University

Board of Directors: Pat Jost, President; Linda Hensgen-Gonzales, Past President; Lyn Wheeler, Vice President; Kathy Bassham, Secretary; Tia Clary, Treasurer; June Hagler, Marcus Wilson, Henry Garcia, Lisa Blazer, Jackie Adler, Terry Bazan

2005 Fall Conference: October 5-7, 2005 – El Paso Conference Center, El Camino Hotel headquarters

TASFAA Budget: $307,000

Issues and Events:

• Pat Jost, President Elect, replaced James Lane, Texas Tech University who resigned in February 2005
• First Associate Member was voted to the Board by the TASFAA associate membership. Because of timing of elections, an associate member will be appointed for one year at the recommendation of the ATLE President. Adam Gonzales (President Elect of ATLE) will be the 04-05 Associate Board Member.
• Associate & Resource Committee developed and published an inactive web based database to track outreach activities throughout the state
• Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated many

Board action:

• Voting to move maturing CD’s to investments with ING
• “Rookie of the Year” award was changed too “TASFAA Trailblazer” award to better address the individuals we have been giving the award to in the past few years
• TASFAA endorses the goals and efforts of College Goal Sunday in Texas
• TASFAA donated $5000 to SWASFAA to help establish a professional development scholarship that in turn would assist Louisiana members attended training opportunities during this difficult year for them.
• Judy Schneider and Mike Novak elected to TASFAA Hall of Fame
• Tia Clary is TASFAA Trailblazer of the Year

2005-06:
President: June Hagler, Southern Methodist University

Board of Directors: June Hagler, President; Kathy Bassham, President Elect; Linda Gonzales-Hensgen, Past President; Tia Clary, Treasurer; Candice Lindsey, Secretary

2006 Fall Conference: October 10-12, 2006 – Crowne Plaza Hotel, San Antonio

TASFAA Budget: $318,900

Issues and Events:

• June Hagler, Vice President, replaced Pat Jost, Trinity University, who resigned in May 2006
• Linda Gonzales-Hensgen agreed to serve as Past President again due to circumstances in 2005-2006
• Higher Education Signing Celebration at Texas State in November 2005
• HERA legislation passed in February 2006 that created ACG and SMART Grant programs along with reauthorizing loan programs
• Reauthorization of other federal programs still did not happen
• May 4 Toast of Texas reception for Texas legislators in Washington co-sponsored by TASFAA, TG, & ATLE.
• TG celebrated 25 years in the industry
• TASFAA won NASFAA State Award for Service to the Financial Aid Community for the Association and Resource Committee work on the statewide database that tracks outreach throughout the state.
• Record attendance at Annual Conference – 750 attendees

Board action:

• Audit Committee disbanded after yearly report since new external audit firm performs all necessary work for Association.
• Changed Regional Training Committee and Regional Rally Committee to Fall Decentralized Training Committee and Spring Regional Training Committee respectively
• Increase TASFAA insurance coverage to protect Board from personal liability
• Created Lifetime Membership category that is an individual membership without dues and for retirees from the industry
• Accepted bid for Arlington Convention Center/Wyndham Hotel for 2009 and 2011 annual conference sites
• Jimmy Parker was elected to the TASFAA Hall of Fame
• Jim Anderson was Trailblazer of the Year

2006-07:
President: Kathy Bassham, Weatherford College

Board of Directors: Lisa Blazer, President-Elect, Carolyn J. Jones Vice-President, June Hagler, Past-President, Tia Clary, Treasurer; Candice Lindsey, Secretary; Jackie Adler, Jim Anderson, Mari Chapa, Tina Chargois, Linda Gonzalez-Hensgen, Raul Lerma, Trevor Summers, Lyn Wheeler, Cheri Whitten and Tommy Young - Board Members.

2007 Fall Conference: The Waves of Change - Galveston

2006-07 TASFAA Budget: $293,412.00

Issues and Events:

• Strategic Plan
• Revised the TASFAA Mission Statement and created a TASFAA Vision Statement
• Spring Regional Training - trained 309 financial aid professionals at 10 sites and the theme was "The Greatest Show in Texas"
• NAOW 102 attendees
• ABC Workshop had 76 attendees
• High School Partnership Training - 28 workshops with 1422 attendees
• Conducted training sessions for legislative aides in Washington, D.C. and in Austin, TX
• The "Waves of Change" theme for the fall conference was very apropos as our Association moved into the beginning realm of legislative changes dealing with transparency and prohibited inducements. For the first time, many of our Board Members/Committee Chairs were not allowed to accept any type of reimbursement for meals or rooms at board meetings and conferences. As a result, many board meetings were abbreviated and one meeting was eliminated in order to cut costs to the association and to the institutions represented by various board members.
• Worked collaboratively with ATLE for a combined TASFAA Board/ATLE Board meeting at TGSLC in February.

Board action:

• Roy Lopez - TAMU was named the Star Advisor
• Tina Chargois was named the Trailblazer

2008-09:
President: Rick Renshaw, Dallas County Community Colleges

Board of Directors: Carolyn J. Jones, President-Elect, David Ximenez, Vice-President; Lisa Blazer, Past-President, Tia Clary, Treasurer; Amy Hardesty, Secretary; Thomas Campos, Mari Chapa, Enrique Garcia, Raul Lerma, Kay Mooney, Rick Moreno, Jimmy Parker, Richard Silva, Ed Turney and Lyn Wheeler - Board Members.

Committee Chairs Dana Mingo (Conference), Wes Vanderburg (Training), Melissa Elliott (Membership), Caren Stewart (Nominations and Elections), Carolyn Jones (Finance), Jackie Stevens (Awards), Alan Ahmad (Communication Network), Kathy Bassham (Constitution and ByLaws), Lea Davidson (Early Awareness), Harold Whitis (Newsletter/PR), Linda Gonzalez-Hensgen (President's Advisory Council), Marci Beasley (Regional Training), Veronica Cano (Scholarship), John Wells (Site Selection)

2009 Fall Conference: Team Up for Success, Arlington, October 7-9, 2009
                                    Keynote Address: Drew Pearson

2008-2009 TASFAA Budget: $252,650

Annual Dues: $150.00

Issues and Events:

• Membership 214, Voting Members - 168
• Early Awareness Committee started using NT4CM training from NASFAA - 18 sites - 1840 attendees
• NAOW had 83 attendees
• Regional training had 7 sites with 234 attendees
• Regional Training Committee conducted a survey of membership to determine future of regional training offerings
• Attendance at 2009 Conference was 425
• Texas Attorney General removed the designation of TASFAA as a "lender" under the Texas Higher Education Fair Lending Practices Agreement.

Board action:

• Constitutional Vote passed to remove the Associate Member from the Board and gave authority to Board to revise membership dues structure
• Board voted to raised dues by $25 for 2009-10
• Accepted attrition settlement offer from Hilton Arlington to meet obligations for the 2009 conference by holding the 2010 NAOW at the Arlington hotel
• Star Financial Aid Advisor - Casey Martin, South Plains College
• Hall of Fame - Ronnie Barnes and Lyn Wheeler
• Trailblazer - Fabian Vasquez

2009-10:
President: Carolyn J. Jones, Collin County Community College

Board of Directors: Joe Pettibon, President-Elect, Kay Mooney Vice-President, Richard Renshaw, Past-President, Tia Clary, Treasurer; Amy Hardesty, Secretary; Mike Carranza, Laurie Coulter, Enrique Garcia, Amanda Jurovic, Karen Krause, Dana Mingo, Shannon Crossland, Richard Silva and Ed Turney - Board Members.

2010 Fall Conference: October 6-8, Charting a New Course - Galveston

2009-2010 TASFAA Budget:

Annual Dues: $175.00

Issues and Events:

• Lias Blazer, PHD - UTSA; Rick Renshaw - DCCCD; Tom Melecki - UT; and Joe Pettibon - Texas A&M; testified in Austin in February and then again in May. Robert Sheridan also testified in May.
• HERA was passed by the federal government allowing a student to receive two Pell awards in one year and abolishing the FFEL program.
• The Early Awareness Committee trained 703 high school counselors at 16 different sites between December and February using the NASFAA NT4CM training.
• The Regional Training Committee trained 171 financial aid professionals at 6 sites between April and May. Training topics included Introduction to Communication Styles, Needs Analysis and Professional Judgment, State Programs (By THECB Staff), Am I Independent or Dependent and Veteran Issues/Eligibility.
• The NAOW - New Aids Officer Workshop was held in the Hilton Arlington hotel May 17-20, 2010, and we had 78 attendees.
• ABC Training had 40 registrants.
• TASFAA handed out our first 40 year service pin
• 390 Attendees at the fall Conference
• Held a silent auction at the fall conference to raise money for the Mack Adams Scholarship fund.

Board action:

• We finalized a TASFAA Position paper for use with THECB and the Texas Legislature.
• Changed our investments from ING to Rogers Capital
• Claire "Micki" Roemer was awarded NASFAA Lifetime membership
• Jane Caldwell, THECB, was elected into the TASFAA Hall of Fame
• Shannon Crossland, Texas Tech University, was Trailblazer of the year